Gourmet Poutine

Anyone who has ever traveled to Quebec knows that the Canadian province is full of of contradictions. For example, this French-speaking society has a well-deserved reputation for its culinary creativity. Montreal in particular is known worldwide for having sumptuous five-star restaurants that effortlessly combine old-world charm and new-world innovation. But Quebec’s staple dish is known as “poutine,” an artery-clogging plate of slop that takes years off your life with every irresistible bite.

Perhaps best described as a “heart attack in a bowl,” poutine is a meal consisting of French fries topped with cheese curds that are generously covered with dripping hot gravy.

Once just a fast-food staple, this fatty dish can now be found in Montreal’s finer restaurants, smothered in goat cheese, camembert, stilton, and yes, even foie gras. But why stop there? Try out the following recipes and find out for yourself why French Canadians can’t get enough of this remarkable regional dish.

an introduction to poutine

A note about pronunciation

Originally a Québécois word, poutine is pronounced “poo-tsinn.” Although many debate the word’s true origin, most insist it’s a bastardization of the English word “pudding.” Sadly, pronouncing it correctly does little to limit its quotient of empty calories.

A few words about poutine snobbery

If you’re traveling north of the border, you should know that Quebecers take their poutine very seriously. For purists, the dish simply isn’t the same unless it starts with hand-cut fries cooked in pure, unadulterated lard. Secondly, there’s no substitute for real gravy. Unlike its watered-down American cousin, poutine gravy is as thick as molasses. Finally, the cheese curds must come from fresh white cheddar. Any other combination of ingredients might be just as tasty (and possibly just as lethal), but it won’t make the real thing.

A brief warning

Although undeniably delicious, one of the many side effects of eating poutine is the irrational desire to separate from Canada. Oh, and gas. Loads of it.

gourmet poutine recipes

Classic Poutine

The standard for all poutines, this is Quebec’s national dish at its most basic.